What I'm reading now.

The other day someone asked me what I’m reading.
Well, aside from mining real estate-related websites for material while researching my much-anticipated tenth book, Self-Editing for Real Estate Professionals, I am reading some great books at the moment.
Let’s see, I’ve got a P. G. Wodehouse Bertie and Jeeves novel open; also open are a really excellent autobiography by Miles Davis and Toastmaster magazine (of course). I’m wrapping up the Miles Davis autobiography and tried to listen to some of his music recently, but I’ve been distracted by Funkadelic’s “(Not Just) Knee Deep” off its Uncle Jam Wants You album, so I didn’t get far with Miles. This particular tune is what I’d consider an extended version, and it’s unbelievably funky. The solos are out of this world. Once you start listening, it’s hard to stop, even for Miles Davis.
I’m also going to be listening a lot to Carlos Santana/Gato Barbieri’s “Europa.” There’s a live performance from 1977 on YouTube that is outstanding. I rushed out and bought Caliente when it was released.  You never think that some people are mortal, just like the rest of us. Gato Barbieri lived a life of incredible creativity, a life of being present more than most of us ever think about being.
Anyone out there remember Larry Lane, the DJ on that Atlanta radio station? What was it? WQXI?  Blue Lights in the Basement sounds familiar. Atlanta in the late ’70s was a very happening place; I heard every musician I ever wanted to hear in Atlanta (with the exception of Barbra Streisand and Bette Midler), but it seems like the music was the coolest in the ’70s. Mother’s Finest comes to mind.  Cy Timmons. The skating rink at the Omni. I saw live performances by Lakeside; Earth, Wind, and Fire; Stevie Wonder; Ella Fitzgerald; Gil Scott Heron–twice…I’d have to go in and look at my record collection to remember all of them. I was the only white person (and had to go by myself when none of my friends would go) at the Lakeside concert, and distinguished myself by knowing all the words and calling out requests. I remember I drove my green 1969 Cadillac deVille, a convertible, to the concert, which was on the south side of town.  That must have been in the late ’80s.
Next book reading project is Putting the Most Into Life, by Booker T. Washington. First edition!